What would cost Branson the most tourists, the closeing of its live shows or its RecPlex, city funded outdoor sports venues and Branson Landing?

Seagull, “In your opinion, what would have the most impact on the total number of visitors coming to Branson in the future, the closing of all its live theatres or a combination of the closing of its RecPlex, city funded outdoor sports venues and Branson Landing?” “That’s easy, the closing of Branson’s live theatres.”

Last week’s column entitled “Give us a break- 20% reduction in Branson sale tax revenues caused by theatres- that’s nuts!” discussed a statement made by a BMOMAN in the Ole Seagull’s Forum at www. 1Branson.com Forums (www.1branson.com/forum/). BMOMAN said that Branson’s sales tax was down 20% for April and May and that they had spoken “with members of the city and chamber of commerce about that alarming number and “they regrettably said it was the theatres that were bringing those numbers down.”

BMOMAN closed the post by asking the Ole Seagull, “What’s your thoughts?” The Ole Seagull responded by saying, “That’s not only nuts, it’s stupid and inaccurate” and asked specifically for the identification of the “members of the city and chamber” who made the statement about bringing the numbers down. Not unsurprisingly, BMOMAN did not respond.

The reason the column was written in the first place was not as much related to the inaccuracy of what BMOMAN said and trying to establish a basis for his comments. It was written to address what the Ole Seagull believes is the real issue raised in BMOMAN’s post, and expressed by those of a similar ilk, depreciating the economic value and relevance of Branson’s live shows to Branson, currently and in the future.

Interestingly, although BMOMAN did not respond, a relatively new poster, RHUFFMAN did. He said, “The point I believe Bmoman was trying to make is, the article he referred to said that Bransons tourism tax was down over 20% for April and May. Not Sales tax. According to the City and Chamber…” In its kindest light, if RHUFFMAN is correct in his belief, BMOMAN didn’t even know what tax they were talking about. Even making allowances for that it would be interesting to know who at the city and chamber allegedly said to BMOMAN “it was the theatres that were bringing those numbers down.”

RHUFFMAN continues, “… He may have not had the right tax, but if anyone in Branson says the theater business hasn’t been on a steady decline hasn’t been paying attention. Our outdoor sports and the lake has been on the rise. You should do some opinions about what a great lake and shopping and RecPlex we have. SDC will always be good as it is for all ages. Don’t get me wrong, I think the theater’s have given Branson a good run now for many years and will continue to at a smaller scale. But in the future we should pay attention to what our client wants!!!!!”

An Ole Seagull would say, “Wow, can RHUFFMAN really believe that the “RecPlex” and “outdoor sports” is what the typical Branson client wants? One can only wonder if RHUFFMAN has any figures showing how many out of the alleged 8 million visitors who came to Branson last year attended Branson’s wonderful and exciting live shows as compared to those who went to the “RecPlex” and “Outdoor sports events?”

“But Seagull you didn’t respond to RHUFFMAN’s comments about the lakes and shopping.” Actually, as to the lakes he did in the original column when he said that Branson’s live shows, “along with Silver Dollar City and Table Rock Lake with the natural beauty of the Ozarks form the three legs of the tripod upon which Branson’s past and future success rests.” In terms of shopping, Branson visitors will, as they have in the past, and as visitors to just about every major destination city in the world do on a routine basis, shop. Just answer this simple question, “When is the last time you picked a vacation destination based for your family based on shopping?

Seagull, “In your opinion, what would have the most impact on the total number of visitors coming to Branson in the future, the closing of all its live theatres or a combination of the closing of its RecPlex, outdoor sports venues and Branson Landing?” “That’s easy, the closing of Branson’s live theatres.”

To paraphrase the words of RHUFFMAN, “Don’t get me wrong, I think the RecPlex, outdoor sports venues are wonderful and Branson Landing has had a good run for a few years as one of Branson’s major shopping destinations. However, in terms of attracting visitors to Branson and what that means to its economy, Branson’s live shows have been a major part of  providing “our clients” with a unique part of the Branson experience that will be just as important to Branson’s future as it was to its past.”

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